The team introduced McCoy as its new head coach in a Tuesday afternoon press conference. He replaces Norv Turner, who was fired along with general manager A.J. Smith after the Chargers finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

Mike McCoy has accepted an offer to become the San Diego Chargers' head coach, ESPN reported. (AP Photo)

McCoy's hiring comes three days after the top-seeded Broncos were eliminated from the playoffs in a home loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

McCoy, 40, became a hot coaching candidate based on his good work with two different quarterbacks, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning, which helped Denver reach the divisional playoffs the past two seasons.

McCoy replaces the offensive-minded Turner in San Diego. In his first NFL head-coaching gig, McCoy will get to work closely with another established veteran quarterback, Philip Rivers, who struggled this season.

McCoy had served as the Broncos' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach since '09. Before that, he spent nine seasons as a Carolina Panthers offensive assistant, the last seven under John Fox. When Fox was hired by the Broncos before the 2011 season, he retained McCoy.

Last year, the Broncos lost then-defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to the Raiders' head-coaching vacancy. With McCoy leaving, an AFC West rival has again plucked a top assistant from Fox's staff.

Denver swept the Chargers in 2012, including an epic 35-24 victory at San Diego on Oct. 15 when Manning calmly led them back from a 24-0 halftime deficit.

McCoy played quarterback at Long Beach State and Utah before moving on to the NFL Europe and the CFL.